Summer '26: A Global Soccer Showdown

Episodi

• Semifinal Breakdown & What a Final: Spain vs. Argentina 17.07.2026 38min

  It's Spain vs. Argentina for the World Cup — European champion against South American champion, in a final that doubles as the ultimate Finalissima. Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down how we got here, starting with Spain's semifinal masterclass: a boa-constrictor press that suffocated the supposedly unstoppable France, an inspired sweeper-keeper display from Unai Simón, an Oyarzabal penalty, and a 19-year-old, Pau Cubarsí, who The Qooligan insists should be Young Player of the Tournament. Spain have now conceded twice in seven games — defense wins championships. Then the other semifinal, and a familiar English heartbreak. England had it won — until Tuchel shut up shop too early, Messi drifted to the wing to assist both goals, and Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez completed yet another late Argentine smash-and-grab. The guys dig into Argentina's "Undertaker" DNA (nine goals in the 80th minute or later this tournament) and, refreshingly, agree the semis were clean — no VAR controversy this time. Looking ahead: can Spain's machine handle "Messi time" in the 85th minute, and how do you even try to stop him? Plus the France vs. England third-place playoff — a "nothing burger" that means everything to both sides, with Deschamps bowing out and Mbappé still chasing Messi for the Golden Boot. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Semifinals & VAR: England-Argentina, France-Spain & the Wire That Wasn't Reviewed 13.07.2026 37min

  Four teams left, and one big argument. Gary Striker and The Qooligan are straight into it, as The Qooligan — a referee himself — lays out the VAR problem hanging over the quarterfinals: an England goal that appeared to clip an overhead camera wire and was never reviewed (FIFA say it didn't), and the red card that he believes unbalanced Switzerland's fight with Argentina before it started. His argument isn't conspiracy, it's transparency: release the data, or people will assume you're hiding something. Then the semifinals. It's England vs. Argentina — a fixture loaded with history, and the first time Lionel Messi has ever faced England — followed by France vs. Spain. The guys sketch the four contrasting characters left standing: a scrapping, streetwise Argentina; an England side being carried by a genuinely world-class Jude Bellingham; a boring-but-brilliant Spain who've conceded once and bored the pair of them senseless; and a swashbuckling France whose front four have accounted for every goal — possibly the best international side ever assembled. Plus an off-the-cuff awards segment: goal of the tournament (Cape Verde's stunner against Argentina still leads), best young player, and why Tuchel's willingness to tear up his own system in-game gives England a puncher's chance. Predictions: France to beat Spain — and The Qooligan, reluctantly, is going England. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Quarterfinal Showdowns: France-Morocco, Norway-England & the Upsets Brewing 09.07.2026 38min

  The hosts are gone, and the heavyweights are left. On the eve of the quarterfinals, Gary Striker and The Qooligan first hold a post-mortem on a chastening round of 16: the USA's flat exit to Belgium — capped by a nightmare goalkeeping error and a record US audience — as all three host nations bowed out in the same round, two fighting and one, sadly, with a whimper. Cue some honest soul-searching about American soccer. Then to the main event: four quarterfinal showdowns. France vs. Morocco is a fiery, French-tinged derby and a rematch of last tournament's semifinal — with a lethal French attack against a spirited, physical Morocco. Spain, still yet to concede, meet a resurgent Belgium riding a super-sub Lukaku, and The Qooligan makes a genuine case for the upset. Argentina face The Qooligan's dark horses, a grinding Switzerland, with a tired Messi to manage. And the pick of the lot: Norway vs. England, the toughest to call, as Haaland's Vikings target a familiar problem area — England's makeshift right side. Plus more refereeing controversy after Argentina's win over Egypt, the Golden Boot race, and why this weekend could serve up two upsets. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• England's Heroics & FIFA Is Corrupt, Shockingly 06.07.2026 50min

  What a night at the Azteca. On this round-of-16 recap, Gary Striker and The Qooligan relive England's heroics — a late-night, weather-delayed classic in which the Three Lions stunned Mexico despite going down to ten men, with Jude Bellingham at another level and Harry Kane playing both hero and villain. Add in Jordan Pickford's saves, Gilberto Mora announcing himself at seventeen, and eleven nerve-shredding minutes of stoppage time. Elsewhere, a young, relentless Norway dominated an underwhelming, Europeanized Brazil behind a Haaland brace and a goalkeeping masterclass from Ørjan Nyland — ending the Seleção's tournament and, in tears, perhaps Neymar's. France ground past a maddening, ultra-defensive Paraguay, and Morocco's ruthless class ended a brave Canada's run. The quarterfinals are set: England vs. Norway and France vs. Morocco. Then the guys turn to the story hanging over the whole tournament: FIFA's rare decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension ahead of USA vs. Belgium. As two referees, they dig into the letter of the law, why they believe outside pressure and money have compromised the game's integrity, why an aggrieved Belgium are appealing, and what it means if the USA now go deep with an asterisk hanging over them. Plus a preview of Ronaldo's likely World Cup farewell against an impenetrable Spain. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Round of 16 Upsets on the Cards — Mexico to Beat England? 03.07.2026 44min

  Gary's back from the road, and the knockouts are heating up. Reunited with The Qooligan, the guys preview a round of 16 they think is ripe for upsets — starting with the big one: Mexico to beat England. Between the altitude, the Azteca, a home side that hasn't conceded all tournament, and an England team that looked like a deer in headlights against DR Congo, both hosts land on the same bold call — this could be where England's tournament ends. First, the round of 32's refereeing storylines get a proper going-over from two officials' eyes: the "shocker" of a red card that could wreck Folarin Balogun's World Cup (and might just galvanize the USA), the chip-in-the-ball offside that ended Croatia's fightback and Luka Modrić's career in a "spirit of the game" debate, and the six-minute VAR call that decided Belgium–Senegal. Then the previews. France look frightening — maybe one of the greatest international sides ever — as Paraguay's spoilers brace for the worst. Canada fancy a genuine upset of an underwhelming Morocco. Spain have become an immovable object behind a brilliant Pau Cubarsí. Brazil labor on in a strangely European guise against a young, vibrant Norway carried by Haaland. And Argentina cruise toward the final as Cape Verde's fairytale meets Messi — with a word on why Switzerland might be the one team nobody wants to face. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• USMNT Deep Dive: Can They Beat Bosnia? — with special guest Ben Jacobs 01.07.2026 32min

  The real test starts now. With Gary away, The Qooligan sits down with journalist Ben Jacobs — who's been following the US men's national team all tournament — for a proper deep dive into Pochettino's side ahead of their win-or-go-home round-of-32 tie with Bosnia. It's a chance to end a drought of more than two decades since the USMNT last won a World Cup knockout game. Ben lays out exactly what the US must do to get past a physical, streetwise Bosnia: make a fast start, win the midfield battle through Tillman and Adams, stretch them in wide areas, and get quick service to Balogun. They dig into Pochettino's settled XI, why the Türkiye loss is being wildly overrated (Paraguay dumped out Germany; the US dismantled the same Australia side that demolished Türkiye), and the luxury of a bench holding Pepi, Gio Reyna, Aaronson and Trusty. Plus the one Bosnian who terrifies The Qooligan — teenage super-sub Amar Memić — and a potential full-circle round-of-16 date with Belgium. Then Ben runs the rest of the bracket: Germany's shock exit, Canada and Brazil laboring through, France and Argentina as the favorites, and why Colombia have quietly become his dark horse. A huge thanks to Ben Jacobs. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• The Real World Cup Starts Now: Round of 32 — with special guest Nick Britten of Road to World Cup 26 29.06.2026 38min

  The group stage is in the books — and the real World Cup starts now. With Gary away, The Qooligan welcomes back fellow referee and Hooligan contributor Nick Britten of the Road to World Cup 26 podcast for a wide-ranging look back at a record-breaking opening act and ahead to a mouthwatering round of 32. Did 48 teams water the tournament down? Not a chance, the guys argue — the expanded format kept jeopardy alive right to the final whistle, none more cruelly than for Iran, in the knockouts at 93 minutes and out by 97. They toast the shock of the summer in unbeaten Cape Verde, relive an Algeria–Austria thriller with echoes of 1982, and marvel at a group stage that produced 212 goals and a glut of world-class strikers — while Ronaldo's struggles leave Portugal sabotaging themselves. Then it's the knockouts. The Qooligan and Nick break down the two ties everyone's circling — Netherlands vs. Morocco and Brazil vs. Japan, both with quarterfinal weight — debate whether Bosnia is a banana peel for the USA or a comfortable win, weigh Canada's winnable date with South Africa, and dig into Mexico's flawless, fortress-at-altitude run. Plus, two referees on the Almirón red card and the new hand-over-mouth rule. A huge thanks to Nick Britten. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• USA Show Weakness & France vs. Norway: Goals, Goals, Goals 26.06.2026 37min

  The USA showed their cracks — and the timing couldn't be worse. On Day 15 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan dig into a sobering defeat to a dead-rubber Türkiye that exposed the very weaknesses their two opening wins had papered over: shaky defensive communication, flat spells, and a last-minute collapse The Qooligan likens to Sunday-league defending. With a Bosnia side that loves a late wonder-goal waiting in the round of 32, the warning signs are flashing. There's plenty more from a wild day: Germany were stunned by a sharp Ecuador despite a full-strength side, the Netherlands handled a spirited Tunisia to set up a blockbuster round-of-32 tie with Morocco, and Japan produced a tactical masterclass to suffocate Sweden. Plus Anthony Elanga's red-hot streak and Côte d'Ivoire booking their place. Then it's today's headliner: France vs. Norway. Two attacking heavyweights, level on points, neither willing to give an inch — Mbappé and Haaland trading blows in the Golden Boot race, and France's defense finally getting a real test. Gary's calling a 3-2 or 4-3 thriller. Alongside it: a ruthless Spain against a flagging Uruguay (with everyone willing Cape Verde to sneak through against Saudi Arabia), and a wide-open Group G where Egypt, Iran, Belgium and New Zealand all still have a path. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Australia to Surprise & Japan vs. Sweden Is a Must-Watch 25.06.2026 39min

  Decision Day keeps delivering — and the upsets are piling up. On Day 14 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down a chaotic round of group finales before previewing today's deciders. The headline shock: South Africa dumped a flat, much-changed South Korea out of the tournament, completing a stunning vindication of the side everyone wrote off — and leaving Son Heung-min's men as The Qooligan's "biggest womp-womp" of the World Cup. There's plenty more: Bosnia stormed through behind another wonder-strike to become the team nobody wants to face, Switzerland edged a rattled Canada (who still scrape into the knockouts for a historic first), Brazil cruised past a disappointing Scotland, and a brilliant, heartbreaking Haiti went down fighting against Morocco. Plus Mexico's perfect clean sweep — three wins, no goals conceded — and Guillermo Ochoa's feel-good cameo to tie the record for World Cup appearances. Then it's today's slate. In Group F, Japan vs. Sweden is the must-watch decider in the tournament's true group of death. Germany roll on in Group E with super-sub Denis Undav making a Golden Boot case. And in Group D, the only game that matters is Australia vs. Paraguay — where The Qooligan fancies a well-drilled, counter-attacking Australia to spring a surprise — while the USA rest up against a cooked Türkiye. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Scotland vs. Brazil: The Mouthwatering Tie & Mexico's Clean-Sweep Bid 24.06.2026 29min

  Decision Day is here — and from now on, every group plays out at the same time. On Day 13 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan tee up the group-stage finale, headlined by the fixture they've been circling all tournament: Scotland vs. Brazil in Miami. Samba meets the Tartan Army under the Hard Rock roof, and Gary's heading to the game himself — desperate for Scotland to find a moment and "win the crowd," even if the smart money says Brazil. Alongside it, an underwhelming Morocco need to finally wake up against a stubborn, plucky Haiti. In Group A, Mexico have already locked up top spot, so the questions are whether they complete a clean sweep — with Guillermo Ochoa set to make history as a six-time World Cup player — and, more urgently, whether South Korea can beat South Africa to go through. And in Group B, Canada chase the huge prize of home advantage at BC Place while Edin Džeko's Bosnia scrap to climb out of the elimination zone. First, the recap: a classic miserable England against Ghana, Panama's brave exit, and Cristiano Ronaldo finally getting off the mark with two goals and an "I'm back" roar — a relief that, as The Qooligan notes, now makes him impossible to bench. Plus the goal-of-the-tournament debate so far. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Mbappé & Messi on Fire, Ronaldo Stuck on Zero 23.06.2026 39min

  The strikers struck — and one of them is still stuck on zero. On the final day of the group stage's second round, Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down a glorious day of goals on Day 12 of World Cup 2026. Kylian Mbappé looks reborn in a France shirt, silencing the doubters (and the petition) with a brilliant display against Iraq. Lionel Messi scored twice to break the all-time World Cup goalscoring record outright — and the guys dig into whether Argentina are genuine contenders or still just the Messi show, plus the casual genius that sets him apart from a visibly tense Ronaldo (and the one surprising flaw in his game). By The Qooligan's own number-crunching, this is shaping up as the most free-scoring World Cup group stage in generations — with a red-card count to match. There's the game of the day, too: Erling Haaland's Norway edging a hugely disappointing Senegal 3-2 in a Viking carnival, Algeria sending a plucky Jordan home, and a quick word on the Fox booth turning on Alexi Lalas. Then today: a frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo, still goalless and starting anyway, as Portugal face Uzbekistan; Harry Kane chasing a runaway Golden Boot race against Ghana; and Croatia, Colombia and DR Congo all with something to play for before sudden-death Decision Day arrives. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Spain Kick Into Gear & Can Argentina Push On? 22.06.2026 30min

  Spain have woken up — and Argentina are next on the clock. On Day 11 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down a Spain side that finally clicked against Saudi Arabia, then turn to today's blockbuster slate and ask whether Argentina can push on against a tougher-than-it-looks Austria. Gary's all-in on Messi's men as his new favorites; The Qooligan plays contrarian, warning that the numbers say Argentina merely "showed up" last time out. The recap is a tale of two ends. Belgium are in genuine crisis — a red card, a goalkeeping masterclass from Iran's Alireza Beiranvand, and one goal in two games have a golden generation staring at an early exit ("a match that could've been an email," per one of our correspondents). Cape Verde, meanwhile, simply refuse to lose, snatching another draw with Uruguay capped by a stunning long-range volley — and they're now a single point from the round of 32. And in Group G, the All Whites faded as Mohamed Salah finally delivered Egypt their first-ever World Cup win. Then it's today: Argentina vs. Austria, France's spectacle of an attack against Iraq, The Qooligan's sleeper pick in Algeria vs. Jordan, and the game of the day — Norway vs. Senegal, where Haaland the Viking meets Koulibaly's wall. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Vozinha, His Mother & Cape Verde's Big Day — Plus Spain Need a Win 21.06.2026 40min

  It's a World Cup of goalkeepers — and two dads are here for it. On a Father's Day edition, Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down Day 10 of World Cup 2026, where the story keeps coming back to the men between the posts. Curaçao's Eloy Room produced a jaw-dropping 15-save display to hold Ecuador and grab a historic point, while Bart Verbruggen's seven saves underlined a Dutch side rolling Sweden — Anthony Elanga the unlikely star with a goal and a piece of touchline skill that floored everyone. Elsewhere: Japan were ruthless in a 4-0 demolition of a Tunisia side in freefall, whose captain turned on his own federation afterward. Germany still aren't convincing, but it didn't matter — super-sub Denis Undav came off the bench to win it against a brave Côte d'Ivoire, who'll rue a glaring missed sitter. And the minnows just keep overperforming. Then it's today's slate, kicking off as we wrap: Spain have to answer the Cape Verde shock against a disciplined Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde fever rolls on as they face a wobbling Uruguay (with a lovely story about their goalkeeper's mum in the stands), and a wide-open Group G serves up Belgium vs. Iran and New Zealand vs. Egypt. Happy Father's Day. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Brazil Underwhelm, USA Top Group D & Will Sweden Find Goals? 20.06.2026 38min

  The USA basically won twice on Friday — and only played once. On Day 9 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan explain how a Pulisic-less USA ground out a comfortable win over Australia, then watched Paraguay's stunning upset of Türkiye hand them top spot outright on the head-to-head tiebreaker. Now Pochettino can rest Pulisic's tender calf, wipe his yellow-card risks clean, and give the fringe players their first taste of a World Cup against a dead-rubber Türkiye. It was a brutal day at the other end. Türkiye are out — undone by a cynical Paraguay masterclass and a Miguel Almirón red card, the tournament's first for the new hand-over-mouth rule. Brazil beat Haiti 3-0 but looked nothing like Brazil, prompting a debate about Ancelotti turning the Seleção into a cautious European side, while a plucky Haiti bowed out with their heads high. And Morocco's class told against a brave Scotland — setting up a potential "miracle in Miami" in the final group game. Then it's today's slate, headlined by the game of the day: Netherlands vs. Sweden in the group of death, with Isak and Gyökeres licking their lips at a leaky Dutch defense. Plus Germany's first real test against a resilient Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador leaning on Enner Valencia against a spirited Curaçao, and Japan looking to send Tunisia home. Plus: an honest verdict on FIFA's new rules one week in (the good, and the hydration-break money grab). New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Can the USA Perform Without Pulisic & Will Brazil Only Draw Haiti 19.06.2026 36min

  One week in, and the World Cup has found its rhythm. Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down a dramatic Day 8 of World Cup 2026 — starting with the question hanging over tonight's USA game: will Australia simply try to kick Christian Pulisic out of it? With Pulisic downgraded to questionable and a history of being hammered by the Socceroos, Pochettino faces a real call — and the guys dig into why the US defense, untested against Paraguay, is about to get its first real examination. Then the prediction that has Gary going out on a limb: a flat, Neymar-less Brazil only drawing Haiti. The Qooligan lays out exactly how Haiti can shock them — go down swinging, be resilient, find a wonder moment — at a raucous Lincoln Financial Field. First, the recap. England produced a ruthless statement win over Croatia, Canada claimed their first-ever World Cup victory in a fiery, red-card-marred clash with Qatar (with a serious injury that took the shine off), Switzerland roared back against Bosnia on a wave of super-subs, and Mexico ground past South Korea thanks to a goalkeeping howler and a stunning Raúl Rangel save. Both host nations now top their groups. Plus: Balogun climbing the Golden Boot race behind a runaway Messi, the Tartan Army turning Boston into "three St. Patrick's Days," and Türkiye facing a must-win against Paraguay. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Argentina Now Favorites & How Will England Line Up? — with special guest Zach Lowy 17.06.2026 44min

  Messi changed the conversation. On Day 7 of World Cup 2026, journalist Zach Lowy joins Gary Striker and The Qooligan after a masterclass that has Argentina installed as many people's new favorites — and the guys debate whether the defending champions have leapfrogged France. Lionel Messi's hat-trick against Algeria didn't just light up Kansas; it drew him level with Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup goal record in his sixth tournament. The crew break down the "Messi effect" lifting Thiago Almada and Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul's pinpoint service, and the depth that makes Argentina so hard to beat — before The Qooligan plays contrarian, arguing the scoreline flattered them and a shaky Luca Zidane in the Algeria goal had plenty to do with it. They also recap a day of superstar strikers: Mbappé's brace as France survived a shaky first half against Senegal (with Michael Olise the real standout), Haaland's brace as Norway brushed past Iraq, and a one-of-a-kind own-goal-and-goal brace from Iraq's Ali Hussein. Then it's the big one: how will England line up against Croatia? With Tuchel still hunting his best XI, Zach and the guys dig into the Harry Kane question, the Jude Bellingham doubt, England's ridiculous depth, and The Qooligan's bold calls on John Stones and Petar Musa. Plus quick looks at Portugal vs. DR Congo (and the Ronaldo problem), Ghana vs. Panama, and Colombia vs. Uzbekistan. A huge thanks to Zach Lowy. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at https://hooligan-soccer.com/https://hooligan-soccer.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Mbappé Wants to Defend & Will Messi Do It Again? — with special guest Nick Callow of Hayters TV 16.06.2026 43min

  France want to defend their crown, Argentina want to do it again — and Hayters TV's Nick Callow joins Gary Striker and The Qooligan from London to break down a blockbuster Day 6 of World Cup 2026. All eyes are on Mbappé. Ahead of France vs. Senegal — a fixture that should've been a quarterfinal — the guys unpack his striking admission that he needs to be better defensively and more of a team player to win the World Cup, the Real Madrid drama he's leaving behind, and whether Deschamps is the one manager with the authority to harness France's embarrassment of riches. Then it's the defending champions: can Messi do it again? Argentina have gone quietly under the radar, and Nick's reporter embedded with the squad describes a fan welcome fit for a final. First, the recap — and what a day it was. Cape Verde's 40-year-old journeyman goalkeeper Vozinha produced the save show of the tournament as the tiny Blue Sharks stunned Spain in the shock of the World Cup. Belgium's golden generation looked every bit their age against a lively Egypt, Uruguay were left frustrated by a gritty Saudi Arabia, and Iran ground out a win over New Zealand amid an off-field storm. Plus: why eight of the first sixteen games ended level, whether the new format has drained the jeopardy, and Haaland's shot at a one-match Golden Boot against Iraq. A huge thanks to Nick Callow and the team at Hayters TV. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Sweden Look Dangerous & Can Iran Be Competitive? 15.06.2026 35min

  Sweden suddenly look like a problem. On Day 5 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan dig into a goal-soaked Sunday led by the Isak–Gyökeres partnership — a near-quarter-billion-dollar strike pairing that tore Tunisia apart and helped get Tunisia's coach sacked one game in. The guys make the case that Sweden have leapt up the contenders list, even in a true group of death. There was history, too: tiny Curaçao scored their first-ever World Cup goal in a 6-1 loss to Germany and walked off with their heads high. Côte d'Ivoire's monster defense edged a fascinating duel with Ecuador on an Amad Diallo gem, and the Netherlands and Japan played out a 2-2 "chess-boxing" thriller that The Qooligan — a Dutch fan and a referee himself — calls a fair result. Plus an honest, fiery take on FIFA's hydration breaks and the creeping commercialization of the game. Then it's today's loaded slate. Belgium vs. Egypt is the game of the day — De Bruyne against Salah, Premier League royalty everywhere. Spain should handle a disciplined Cape Verde without Lamine Yamal. Saudi Arabia fancy another upset of a South American giant against Bielsa's Uruguay. And the big question of the night: can an aging Iran — the oldest squad in the tournament, short on competitive minutes — be competitive against Chris Wood's New Zealand? The Qooligan thinks they edge it. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• Australia Stun Türkiye, Qatar's Miracle & a Brazil-Morocco Dud — Plus Today's Games 14.06.2026 34min

  Saturday delivered the shock of the tournament — and Gary Striker and The Qooligan break it all down on Day 4 of World Cup 2026. Australia stunned a gifted Türkiye side, and The Qooligan — a referee himself, fresh off officiating his own games all weekend — makes the case that it was a masterclass in management: Tony Popovic's switch to a back five, a bold goalkeeper gamble that paid off with eight saves, and two minutes of hydration-break coaching that set up teenage, refugee-camp-born sensation Nestory Irankunda. Suddenly the USA's group looks very different. Elsewhere: Qatar grabbed their first-ever World Cup point with a last-gasp equalizer against a wasteful Switzerland, the heavyweight Brazil vs. Morocco clash fizzled into a 1-1 dud that has Ancelotti's critics circling, and a gritty Scotland sit top of their group after grinding past a genuinely impressive Haiti. Then we look ahead to a loaded Sunday: Germany vs. Curaçao in the tournament's first indoor game (with Dick Advocaat's Dutch-trained underdogs out for blood), the Netherlands vs. Japan game of the day, a potential barnstormer in Côte d'Ivoire vs. Ecuador, and the quarter-billion-dollar strike pairing of Isak and Gyökeres as Sweden face Tunisia. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at https://hooligan-soccer.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
• USA Come Out Storming — Plus Today's World Cup 2026 Games 13.06.2026 34min

  The USMNT came out storming — and Gary Striker and The Qooligan are still buzzing. On Day 3 of World Cup 2026, the guys break down a scintillating American performance against Paraguay: Christian Pulisic running riot down the left, Folarin Balogun's top-bins screamer, and a Gio Reyna stunner at the death — built off twenty-odd passes — that blew the roof off SoFi. The Qooligan, a referee himself, also flags the warning signs in a flatter second half, the Chris Richards lapse that let Paraguay back in, and why the new VAR rule that reversed a soft yellow on Tim Ream is exactly what the game needed. It wasn't all good news for the hosts. Canada were held to a frustrating draw by Bosnia, undone by their own finishing — and we get into Jonathan David's confidence crisis, why Kyle Larin should start, and the Clint Dempsey–Jesse Marsh needle that lit up the Fox booth. Then we look ahead to four games. Switzerland should make light work of Qatar. Scotland have to seize their first World Cup in over two decades — Lawrence Shankland, this is your moment, win the crowd. Türkiye's gifted young generation faces Australia in Vancouver. And the one we're all glued to: Brazil vs. Morocco, the matchup of the round, with Ancelotti's lineup questions, a sidelined Neymar, and Hakimi and Brahim Díaz bombing down Morocco's right. New episodes of Summer '26 every day of the tournament at hooligan-soccer.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices